Stuttgart want Hleb reunion

VfB president wants Barca midfielder but wages could halt move

By Richard Bailey   Last updated: 8th June 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Stuttgart want Hleb reunion

Hleb: Stuttgart interest

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Stuttgart president Erwin Staudt is interested in bringing Alexander Hleb back to the club although the player's wage demands could be a stumbling block.

The 28-year-old enjoyed five seasons at the Mercedes-Benz Arena before signing for Arsenal but after a tough first year at Barcelona the midfielder could be tempted back to the Bundesliga.

The Belarusian international has battled against injury this term but once fully fit he has failed to establish himself in Pep Guardiola's first-team plans.

Aston Villa, Bayern Munich and Lyon have all been linked with a move for the player but his agent, Uli Ferber, has denied that his client wants out of Camp Nou.

"It is not just about transfer fees with a player like this but also about salary demands," Staudt told Bild.

Options

"We must consider whether we will buy the player and for how many years or whether we loan him with an option to buy."

When asked if he thought Hleb would take a pay-cut to join Stuttgart Staudt replied: "Although he loves Stuttgart, I could hardly imagine a player of his age and reputation doing that.

"You tend to make that sort of compromise towards the end of your career."